2006 Fifty Pence

Three different 50p coins were issued in 2006. The standard Britannia design and two commemorative coins, both to mark the 150th anniversary of the Victoria Cross – one represents heroic acts and the other shows the medal itself.

The obverse portrait of the Queen by Ian Rank-Broadley was used on all UK coinage from 1998 to 2014 and also on some coins dated 2015. It was the fourth portrait of the Queen used on coinage.

The reverse design, by Christopher Ironside, shows Briannia seated. Britannia had appeared on at least one British coin denomination since the 1670s, and in fact long before that there were Roman coins showing the word ‘BRITANNIA’ and the helmeted female representation of Britannia to celebrate the Roman capture of Britain.

The obverse portrait of the Queen by Ian Rank-Broadley was used on all UK coinage from 1998 to 2014 and also on some coins dated 2015. It was the fourth portrait of the Queen used on coinage.

The reverse design, by Clive Duncan shows a soldier carrying a wounded soldier, with the large outline of a VC in the background. The Victoria Cross is the highest military decoration and is awards for acts of extreme valour:

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